Dreams Flora Wedding in Punta Cana: Autumn and Santiago’s Garden Gazebo Celebration

When Autumn walked down the aisle at Dreams Flora, Santiago’s reaction was impossible to miss. As he watched her approach the garden gazebo, he became emotional, and the people closest to them could see just how much that moment meant.

It was one of our favourite moments of their wedding day, but not the only time their connection showed. During their portraits, the way they looked at each other and naturally stayed close made it easy to see how much they love being together.

Autumn and Santiago celebrated their Dreams Flora wedding in Punta Cana on May 10, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. They chose the resort’s garden gazebo for their ceremony and an open-air restaurant near the beach for their reception. We captured their day in both photography and video, with eight hours of coverage.

If you are considering a wedding at Dreams Flora Resort & Spa, their celebration shows how you can use the resort’s tropical gardens, the nearby beach and a relaxed reception with your favourite people in a single day.

Autumn and Santiago’s Wedding at a Glance

• Venue: Dreams Flora Resort & Spa, Cabeza de Toro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Wedding date: May 10, 2026
• Bride getting ready: hair and makeup at the Dreams Flora SPA
• Ceremony: the garden gazebo, with a grass aisle lined with white petals
• Portraits: the gazebo, resort gardens, the beach at sunset and the pool after dark
• Reception: an open-air restaurant with a thatched roof near the beach
• Groom’s look: a sage green suit
• Coverage: 8 hours of photography and video
• Photography and video: Photo Cine Art

Autumn and Santiago’s Story

Autumn and Santiago first met at a T.G.I. Fridays in 2019. As they tell it on their wedding website, their friendship took a little time to grow. They became best friends and started dating in January 2023.

A little over two years later, Santiago proposed during a hike on the Table Rock trail. They had stopped to take photos on the way up, and that was when he asked Autumn to marry him.

On their wedding day in Punta Cana, that friendship was easy to see. They enjoyed simply being together, whether they were standing in front of their guests at the gazebo or sharing a quiet moment during their portraits.

Getting Ready at Dreams Flora

The day began with Autumn and Santiago getting ready separately.

Autumn at the Dreams Flora SPA

Autumn had her hair and makeup done at the Dreams Flora SPA, where the resort’s stylists curled and braided her hair and finished it with a delicate hairpiece. If you are comparing resort and independent beauty teams, see our list of hair and makeup artists in Punta Cana.

While she was in the salon, we photographed the details she had chosen for the day: her rings in an engraved wooden box reading “it was always you,” white sandals, jewelry, her bouquet and the travel-themed save-the-date that first invited their guests to Punta Cana. Back with her bridesmaids, in shades of purple and orange, she watched in the mirror as they set her veil in place.

Getting-ready photos are not only about the dress and the details. This part of the day lets us capture the anticipation before the ceremony and the people who are there to share it with you.

Santiago’s Preparations

Santiago’s preparations were calmer: a few final adjustments, a drink and a quiet moment before changing into his suit. His sage green suit with an ivory tie was a beautiful choice for a tropical wedding and worked especially well with the garden setting. If you are still deciding what to wear, our beach wedding groom attire guide covers colors and fabrics that suit Punta Cana’s heat.

A Garden Gazebo Wedding Ceremony at Dreams Flora

Autumn and Santiago chose the garden gazebo at Dreams Flora for their ceremony. The white gazebo stands at the end of a grass aisle, surrounded by palm trees and tropical landscaping, with the beach just beyond.

Their ceremony decorations brought a vibrant touch to the setting. Arrangements of red, orange and pink tropical flowers with large green leaves framed the gazebo, while white petals lined the aisle.

For couples who love the idea of a tropical destination wedding but prefer not to stand in the sand, the garden gazebo is a beautiful option. You still have the palm trees and the ocean in the background, with a grass aisle, shade from the palms and room for your guests to sit comfortably.

Santiago’s Reaction to Seeing Autumn

As Autumn walked toward the gazebo, Santiago became emotional. It was one of those moments when a photo of the person waiting at the altar is just as meaningful as a photo of the person walking down the aisle.

Moments like this are why we pay close attention to both sides of the ceremony. The couple may be focused on each other, but their families and friends are experiencing those moments too, and their reactions become part of the story.

Autumn and Santiago exchanged their vows beneath the gazebo, and after the ceremony they walked back down the aisle together as their guests celebrated around them.

Wedding Portraits at Dreams Flora

After the ceremony, we spent time photographing Autumn and Santiago around the resort.

One of the things we enjoy about Dreams Flora is the variety of settings available without leaving the property. The garden gazebo, palm trees, walkways, wooden structures, pools and the beach each bring a different feeling to a wedding gallery.

We took portraits beside the decorated gazebo and more intimate photos that focused on the two of them. They were comfortable together, and their affection came through naturally. As the sun went down, we walked to the beach for portraits in the warm evening light, and later that night we photographed them beside the illuminated pool.

Our tip: if you would like both garden and beach portraits at Dreams Flora, tell your photographer and wedding coordinator while you are planning the timeline. Leave room for family photos, the walk between locations and some time to enjoy cocktail hour too. The best portrait time depends on your ceremony time, the season and the light on your wedding day.

An Open-Air Wedding Reception Near the Beach

For their reception, Autumn and Santiago celebrated at an open-air restaurant close to the beach. The space had a high thatched roof, strings of warm lights and a wooden floor, a comfortable setting for dinner and dancing.

Their tables featured woven chairs, soft green accents and small personalized touches. The evening opened with a joyful grand entrance, Santiago spinning Autumn as their guests cheered and filmed from both sides of the room. Later came their first dance, a quiet kiss at their table and a dance floor full of family and friends, from bridesmaids to grandmothers.

Those moments show a different side of their relationship from the quieter ones earlier in the day, and that contrast is what makes a complete wedding story.

Watch Autumn and Santiago’s Dreams Flora Wedding Film

Photos preserve the expressions and small details of a wedding day. Video adds movement, voices and sound, so couples can relive those moments in another way. We captured both for Autumn and Santiago, and you can watch their wedding highlights below. See more of our Punta Cana wedding videography.

Why We Love Dreams Flora for a Punta Cana Wedding

Dreams Flora Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive beachfront resort in the Cabeza de Toro area of Punta Cana. For couples planning a destination wedding, it offers the convenience of celebrating and staying in the same place as their guests.

What stands out to us is the resort’s greenery. Its gardens give couples a tropical setting with plenty of opportunities for wedding photos, while the beach is only a short walk away. Autumn and Santiago’s wedding shows how a couple can use different parts of the resort throughout the day:

• Getting ready: the SPA salon for hair and makeup, with resort spaces for detail photos and portraits.
• Garden ceremony: the gazebo, with palms and a grass aisle.
• Wedding portraits: the gardens, the gazebo, the beach and the pools.
• Reception: an open-air restaurant near the beach for dinner and dancing.

The resort lists several event spaces, including a wedding gazebo, a garden gazebo, a garden, the beach, the pool and Blue Dorado. Availability, capacities and permitted setups can change, so ask the wedding team which spaces are available for your date and guest count. For the bigger picture, see our comparison of resort and private wedding venues in Punta Cana.

Garden Gazebo or Beach Ceremony at Dreams Flora?

Both options can be beautiful, but they create different experiences.

A garden gazebo ceremony may suit you if you prefer a grass aisle, a defined structure for the ceremony and a setting surrounded by greenery. It is also easier for guests who would rather not walk on sand.

A beach ceremony may be the right choice if standing on the sand with the water behind you is an important part of your vision. Think about footwear, wind, the direction of the sun and how comfortable your guests will be; our beach wedding attire guide covers what works on sand.

You do not have to choose one setting for all of your photos. As Autumn and Santiago’s wedding shows, you can have a garden ceremony and still include the beach in your portraits. For another look at this resort, see Nicole and Austin’s Dreams Flora wedding.

Planning Your Dreams Flora Wedding Photography and Video

Is Eight Hours of Coverage Enough at Dreams Flora?

For many couples, eight hours of photography and video is a great choice. Autumn and Santiago chose eight hours, which gave us time to document the most important parts of their day: preparations, the ceremony, portraits and the reception.

Ten hours gives us more time to document your celebration, which means more photos, and room for creative images we might not have time for on a shorter schedule, such as additional locations, different compositions or evening portraits without feeling rushed.

When we help couples choose their coverage, we start with what matters most to them and work backward through the timeline. You can compare options on our Punta Cana wedding photography and video packages page.

Can You Bring Your Own Photographer to Dreams Flora?

Yes, but expect a fee. Autumn and Santiago chose our local Punta Cana team for their photography and video, and an outside vendor fee applied to their celebration.

Resort policies and fees change, so before booking an outside photographer or videographer, ask the Dreams Flora wedding team for the current policy in writing. It helps to confirm:

• the current fee and whether taxes are included
• how many team members the fee covers
• whether photography and video are treated as one service or separately
• any requirements for approving your chosen team
• any restrictions on equipment, including drones

We are always happy to help couples understand what to ask and plan their coverage around the resort’s requirements.

What Is the Best Time for Wedding Photos at Dreams Flora?

It depends on your ceremony location, the time of year and the weather. For many weddings, the softer light later in the afternoon is the most flattering for portraits, but no single time works for every couple.

Share your ceremony and reception schedule with your photographer early, so you can decide together when to photograph family groups and portraits without feeling rushed. If your ceremony is earlier in the day, we can look for shade and use the resort’s architecture and greenery to create beautiful photos in brighter light.

What Happens if It Rains?

Many wedding spaces at Dreams Flora are outdoors or open-air, so discuss a rain plan with the resort before the wedding day. Ask your coordinator which backup location would be used for your ceremony or reception, when the decision would be made and whether the backup space fits your guest count. We then adjust the photography and video plan to the available light and space. Our Punta Cana weather by month guide shows what to expect in your wedding month.

Dreams Flora Wedding FAQ

Where is Dreams Flora Resort & Spa?

Dreams Flora is in the Cabeza de Toro area of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It is an all-inclusive beachfront resort with gardens and several spaces for wedding celebrations.

Can you have a garden wedding at Dreams Flora?

Yes. Dreams Flora lists a garden gazebo and a garden among its wedding spaces. Autumn and Santiago held their ceremony at the garden gazebo, surrounded by palms and tropical landscaping. Ask the resort about availability and the setup for your guest count.

Can you have a beach wedding at Dreams Flora?

Yes. Dreams Flora lists the beach as a wedding space. Ask the resort about ceremony arrangements, guest capacity and available dates.

Can you take beach wedding photos if your ceremony is in the garden?

Yes. Autumn and Santiago had a garden gazebo ceremony and beach portraits at sunset. If both settings matter to you, include time for both in your wedding day schedule.

How much does a Dreams Flora wedding cost?

The total depends on your package, guest count, ceremony and reception locations, decorations, entertainment, photography, video and any additional fees. Package prices and inclusions change, so ask the resort for a current, itemized quote for your date.

Does Dreams Flora charge an outside vendor fee?

An outside vendor fee applied when Autumn and Santiago booked our team. Confirm the current amount and conditions directly with the resort, as they can change.

Planning Your Own Dreams Flora Wedding?

If you are getting married at Dreams Flora and are looking for a Punta Cana wedding photographer and videographer, we would love to hear about your plans.

We are Milan and Nata of Photo Cine Art, a husband-and-wife wedding photography and video team with more than 16 years of experience capturing weddings in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic. We would be happy to help you choose the coverage that fits your day, talk through your timeline and show you more weddings we have photographed at Dreams Flora.

Have a look at our Punta Cana wedding photography, browse more real weddings, and then check our availability.